My surgeon told me to ask my physician, he said ask my surgeon, the pharmacist said there was a possibility that I could use tablets, Not XR, that can be crushed, only I would have to take 2 a day. The XR capsule can not be crushed or opened and put in applesauce, etc.

Anyone have an answer from experience about the ability to swallow this med?

Thanks,

Jodie-Surgery date 12/13/07

All I can say is my surgeon told me if my meds don't fit through a straw, I will have to chew them! (Egads!)

Is there perhaps a liquid version to your meds? They are making so many liquid and chewables now. (And as more of our group enter the arena, the pharmaceutical companies are going to jump on board!!)

The XR stands for Extended Release and my surgeon says these meds can NOT be taken, so we'd need to get the tablets that can be crushed. The Extended Release meds are not good with the pouch.

My doctor checked with the pharmacist and decided I can open them and put them in pudding, applesause or ect. and take them that way. It has worked out fine for me but sometimes I can swallow them fine, depends on what time of the day it is.

I'd swallow the capsule. It's not that big.

Jewel

My hubby takes effexor xr. The doctor told him to open the capsules but be sure to take the granuals all at the same time. He puts them in a little cup and then tosses them to back of his throat to swallow, followed by a drink of water. It works out well for him.

I take Effexor XR 75mg and have been taking it in capsule form from day 3 post surgery. My pharmacist said there wasn't a liquid equivalent, so my surgeon said just to take it with a bit of Water, then take a 2nd swallow of water afterwards.

I have had no problems so far - but then I haven't had a fill yet either.

i am able to swallow all pills, i am on effexor as well as 2 others..i just have to take them one at a time and i take them with a slimy protein drink...not as bad as it sounds, drink is called profect. but so far no problems.

Thank you all for your input. I will probably just try taking them as is and see how it goes. Great ideas!

Jodie

Listen to me, I am a pharmacist. The following is an excerpt from the manufacturer's insert...

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Effexor XR should be administered in a single dose with food either in the morning or in the

evening at approximately the same time each day. Each capsule should be swallowed whole with

Fluid and not divided, crushed, chewed, or placed in Water, or it may be administered by carefully

opening the capsule and sprinkling the entire contents on a spoonful of applesauce. This

drug/food mixture should be swallowed immediately without chewing and followed with a glass

of water to ensure complete swallowing of the pellets.

SO THERE IS YOUR ANSWER DIRECTLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER!!!!!!!

Hey! I'm on your exact medication. Effexor XR 150 mg. My doctor didn't say anything to me when looking at my medications. He just said to continue them until further notice. I am 2 1/2 weeks post-op and my first fill is on December 10th. I've been swallowing my effexor whole since the first day I got home from the hospital. I suggest you continue to take them whole, but if you are finding that you are having a problem with that, call your doctor and let him know. If you aren't having a problem with it, keep on going, and ask him again when you get your first fill because I'm sure things will switch up and change regarding medications then. Good luck!!

Kara,

That is good to know, I appreciated Patty's input too. I will try to get them down whole, if not I see there are a few people opening the capsule and w/the med directions having that suggestion, I feel more comfortable. Our insurance is changing Jan 1, and I need to mail order my next script, they come in 3 mos supply. I think they are more expensive w/the new insurance. Thank God for my surgeon and some of his staff, they worked me into his schedule in December, so I can have the surgery covered by my current insurance. My husband works for Toyota, Indiana and Toyota is excluding weight loss surgeries from their benefits effective Jan 1 w/the new policy! The clinic and the surgeon were both very surprised. This site has been another God Send for me. I am truly blessed. Thank you all for your support.

Jodie

My surgeon told me it would be fine to swallow mine. I am on the exact same dose as you twice daily.

Hi Jodie,

I was banded 1 week ago and am also on Efexor XR 150mg.

I haven't had a problem taking mine yet, they are going down okay at the moment, but then again I haven't had a fill yet.

They are also working fine, I don't know about you, but on the few stupid occasions when I haven't taken them (pre op), I get a jumpy feeling in my head. So far this hasn't happened so thats why I am assuming they're absorbing fine in my system.

Hope this helps and good luck with your op.

Amy

I'm on Effexor 150 also and have pending LapBand or Bypass - I can't seem to make up my mind about which procedure. I am concerned about not being able to get down/keep down the Effexor also - Does anyone else get major dizziness if they miss a dose? I'm afraid I'll be a mess after the surgery!

Hi Swindy,

I get a jumpy feeling in my head if I miss a dose.

Although I did miss a dose the day of surgery and I was fine,

might have had something to do with all the other drugs they were pumping into me. But no, no bad side effects from missing my dose post surgery.